Distance Learning
Not all students do well in a distance learning course, let alone a distance math course. Everyone has different learning styles and different personalities; therefore, it is important for you to assess your own style and your own characteristics before enrolling in this course.
Orientation and Getting Started
Before you enroll in a distance learning course, ask yourself the following questions:
Is the course a subject that you are strong in? If the subject is one that you dislike or are not proficient in, you will probably not enjoy working on it alone.
Do you have a sufficient amount of time to succeed and complete the course? If you are trying to squeeze this course into an already hectic schedule, then you might have a tendency to give your distance course last priority. There is no one to remind you otherwise except yourself. The approximate work load for this course is 10-15 hours per week depending on your background.
Will you miss the interaction with a teacher and peers? Students in online courses sometimes feel isolated. Although students in Internet courses are usually in regular communication with teachers and peers, they sometimes miss the real-time, face-to-face interaction.
Do you ask questions immediately when you don't understand something? Or, is it often the case that you find yourself frustrated before asking for help? Feelings of isolation can amplify feelings of frustration or discouragement. Do you know how to head off and/or deal with those feelings? The usual answer is to get help before you are overwhelmed, but you have to know when to ask.
Communicating with Your Instructor
In a traditional class, your instructor can read the body language of the class and discern whether or not the majority of the students understand the material. In addition, you can ask questions as they come up in class and get an immediate answer. A distance learning class is different. You will have to take the initiative and ask your instructor questions if you do not understand the material. In an Internet class, asking a question is as easy as writing an email. Or, you might have to call in and leave a message on your professor's voice mail. Either way, the response is usually not instantaneous. Move on to other material if you can as you wait for your instructor's response. I will usually answer within a couple of hours, sometimes quicker.
Please use your ACC email address for all email communication.
While I may reply to an email coming from a different address, I will always initiate all contact through your ACCmail address. It is your responsibility to check your ACC email frequently for messages about the class. If you don't know how to access your ACC email address, click on the link below for assistance:
http://www.austincc.edu/accmail
Before you enroll in this course, you should decide whether a distance learning course is right for you and ensure that you have met the prerequisites for the course.